Detachable operating handle for retracting breech bolts



Nov. 30, 1948. 2,454,885

DETACHABLE OPERATING HANDLE FOR RETRACTING BREECH BOLTS T. R. ROBINSON,JR

5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 6, 1947 @m i Q a @N g mm mm m mm 5 3 S m a.

mm mm MaeW/ok 1948- 1'. R. ROBINSON, JR 85 DETACHABLEJOPERATING HANDLEFOR RETRACTING BREECHBOLTS 3 Shets-Sheet 2 i6 I I I Vgmfim/lllllllllllll,,

' Filed Aug. 6. 1947 I/II/III/I/I/IIII/II/I/II/IJ Ndv. 30,1948. I T.ROBINSON; JR 2,454,885

DETACHABLE OPERATING HANDLE FOR RETRACTING BREECH BOLTS Filed Aug. 6,194 7 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 35 2 38 H750 5b 3b 5'? Mae/ for 0m 98 PatentedNov. 30, 1948 DETACHABLE OPERATING HANDLE FOR RETRACTING BREECH BOLTSThomas R. Robinson, Jr., Newtown, Conn., as-

signor to The Marlin Firearms Company, New Haven, Conn., a corporationof Connecticut Application August 6, 1947, Serial No. 766,663

26 Claims.

The present invention relates in general to firearms of the type havinga reciprocable breechclosing means and more especially to improvedoperating-means for manually retracting a breech-bolt in the receiver ofa firearm.

An object of the invention is to provide a reciprocable breech-bolt withan improved bolt-operating handle in which is combined reliability andstrength with ease of assembly, disassembly and low cost of manufacture.

A further object of the invention is to provide improved means fordetachably securing a boltoperating handle to a breech-bolt.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved detachableoperating-handle for retracting a breech-bolt in the receiver of afirearm, the operating-handle being cooperatively associated with thereceiver to prevent rotation of the bolt therein.

With the above and other objects in View, as will appear to thoseskilled in the art from the present disclosure, this inventionincludesall features in the said disclosure which are novel over the prior artand which are not claimed in any separate application.

In the accompanying drawings, in which certain modes of carrying out thepresent invention are shown for illustrative purposes:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of the receiver of a firearm having areciprocable breech-bolt adapted to be manually retracted by theimproved boltoperating handle of this invention and including afragmentary portion of the barrel;

Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of the side of the receiver andbreech-bolt assembly shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is an end elevation of the receiver on section line 33 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is an end elevation of the receiver on section line 44 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional elevation of the receiverand breech-bolt on section line 55 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional side elevation of the receiver;

Fig. 7 is a sectional end view of the receiver on line 1 of Fig. 6;

Fig. 8 is aside elevation of the breech-bolt showin the operating-handlegroove in the forward end thereof and fastening-means extending thereinfor removably securing the operatinghandle in the groove of thebreech-bolt;

Fig. 9 is a perspective viewof the breech-bolt operating-handle takenfrom the top side theref;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the breech-bolt operating-handle takenfrom the underside thereof Fig. 11 is a side elevation of a modifiedbreechbolt including a modified operating-handle mounted in the forwardend thereof;

Fig. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional side elevation of thereceiver of a firearm including the modified breech-bolt andoperating-handle shown in Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is an end elevation on line l3--l3 of Fig. 12; and

Fig. 14 is a perspective view of the modified breech-boltoperating-handle.

Referring to the drawings which show an ex emplary embodiment of theinvention, the particular firearm shown is a self-loading repeating typeof firearm comprising, in the main, a receiver indicated generally at l5and. a barrel l6 fixedly secured to the forward end thereof. Referringparticularly to Fig. 6, the receiver l5 comprises asubstantially-cylindrical member preferably formed from a suitablelength of tubular steel stock [1. The interior of the cylindricalreceiver I5 is adapted to provide a breech-bolt chamber l8 of continuouslength comprising a rear endportion of relatively-large diameter and afront end-portion of lesser diameter. To this end, a

substantially-cylindrical sleeve or bushing l9 of relatively-thick wallsection is inserted in the front end of the receiver and fixedly securedtherein by a weld-joint or equivalent fasteningmeans. In the presentembodiment, the internal diameter of the longitudinal bore 20 of thebushing l9, hereinafter referred to as the forward chamber 2t! of thereceiver [5, is substantially two-thirds the diameter of the rearunbushed portion of a receiver, the latter being hereinafter referred toas the rear chamber 2! of the receiver. The rear end of the receiver isadapted to be closed by a plug 22, which is arranged to make a nice fitin the open rear end thereof and to be fixedly secured therein by asuitable fastening-means 23, as indicated in Figs. 1 and2. The undersideor bottom wall of the receiver is provided throughout the rear half ofits length with suitable apertures, indicated generally at 24, whichcommunicate with a trigger-plate, indicated generally at 25, in whichthe fire-control mechanism of the firearm is mounted.

The present invention is not concerned with the details of thefire-control mechanism, for any mechanism which is characteristic of aselfloading repeating firearm of the type shown herein may be used and,hence, the present description is not burdened with a disclosure anddetailed description of the fire-control mechanism. The forward chamber20 of the receiver is adapted to support the rear end of the barrel i6and to this end, the rear end of the barrel is reduced in diameter toprovide a cylindrical wrist 26 arranged to make a snug fit in the openend of the forward chamberifi with the annular transverse shoulder 21 ofthe barrel it seating firmly against the forward face of the bushing 59.A transverse pin 28 is provided for'positively-securing the barrel-wrist26 in the bore of the forward chamber 29. Although a receiver comprisinga tubular member having a cylindrical bushing inserted and secured inone end thereof to form-a breech-bolt chamber of two diameters is ahighly satisfactory and economical construction, it will be appreciatedthat it is within the purview of the invention to form the receiver,including the forward and rearward chambers 29 and 2! respectively, froma single piece of stock in any Well known and approved manner.

Referring to Fig. l, the right side of the receiver iiii'isprovided withan ejectin-port'29 comprising a substantially-longitudinal slot having.elliptical ends 39, each provided with aninwardly-an'd-downwardly-sloping wall or bevel 3 I, as shown clearly inFig. 5. The ejection-port 29 intersects the forward chamber of thereceiver substantially intermediate 'the opposite ends thereof, suchthat the rearwardly-sloping bevel 3| atthe forward end .of the port- 28intersects the rear extremity of the barrel-wrist 26-,

of operation and economy of manufacture, it will be appreciated that thebreech-bolt may be turned out of a single piece of stock. Thelongitudinal axial aperture 31 of the breech-bolt shank is adapted alsoto accommodate the actionreturn spring 39 and the striker-member onwhich the firing-spring 4| is mounted, the forward end of which thrustsagainst an annulai .shoulder 2 at the forward end of the striker.

The forward end of the action-return spring 39 iis shownpen'gagedagainst an annular shoulder whereby ashortportionthereoflis exposed,as-indicated clearlyin. Fig. 5. 'The forwardly-sloping beve135 .at therearend of the ejection-portZS'is intersectedby the forward endofa'longitudinal slot or key-Way 32, the longitudinal. axis'of whichis-su bstantially coincident withthelongitudinal 40 Mounted' toreciprocatelongitudinally in the "receiver i5 is a breech-bolt,indicated generallyat 34' (see Fig. 8), comprising a cylindrical rearend-portion or breech -bolt shank'fifi adapted to make a smooth slidingfitinthe rear chamber 22 01 the 'receiver;- and a forward end-portiom-orbreech 'bolt stem 36 which is substantially cylindrical'and adapted-tomake a smooth sliding fit in theforward'chamber' 20 of the receiver. Inthe preferred construction,- the b-reech bolt shank t5 andthebreeth-boltstem 36 are'formed as two separate elements, theshank beingprovided with alongitudinal axial apertureifl in the forward end ofwhichthe reduce'drearend or neck 58 of the stem is-engaged with a press fit.For optimum results, a weld-joint is provided 'between themutually-engaging peripheral surfaces of the neck 'BB-and'thelongitudinal aperture '31 of theshank to'secure the two elementstogether as an-integrated unit. Although the two-piece bolt is -quite'success'fulj'both from the standpoint cular splitv band 53anchoring-means of an extractor-claw 59 which lfihwhich', in the presentembodiment, constitutes 3'5 is provided with a longitudinal axialaperture 46 which constitutes a counterbore of the firingpinaperturefr'l. The latter extends through the breech-bolt stem 3'6 fromits counterbore 46 forwardly and in an upwardly-inclined direction, asindicated in Figs. 3 and 5, to the face of the bolt, the forwardend ofthe firing-pin aperture being reduced in diameter as at $8 to slidinglysupport the needle 49 of the firing-pin'Sll. The latter is dimensionedto make a slidingfit'in the longitudinal aperture l? and'forms anannular shoulder 5| with its needle 49 against which the rear end of afiring-pin retracting-spring "52 is engaged, t-he'forward' end-of thespring-52 abutting the annular shoulder 53 formed at the rear end of theneedle-supporting aperture 48. The rear end of the firing-pin isprovided with an enlarged head 5 which is accommodated in thecounterbore 46 of the breech-bolt stem and is adapted to be struck bythe'nose-portion 5'5 oftthe strikermember when the latter is released,asindicated in-Fig. 5. The underside of the breech-bolt stem 35isprovi'ded with a pair .o'flongitudinally-spaced parallel slots 56,.asindicated in Figs. 3 and 4,

which constitute relief-recesses. for the cartridge guide-means'forautomatically feeding cartridges to the breech-end of the barrel.

Referringparticri-lafly toFigs. 5 and 8, in the present embodiment theforward end of the breech bolt sterntt is encircled by a shallow groove.51 which is a'daptedto accommodate a cir- The latter constitutes the isformed integrally with and substantially at right anglestoaforwardly-extending reach of the anchoring-banda-M. As indicated inFig. 2, the extractor-claw 59 is adapted to be accommodated inasuitablenotchfi-l in the exposed portion of the stem 26 of thebarrel-when the :breech-bolt isin. breech-closing position.

When the breech-bolt isinits forward breechclosingpositiorL-it issometimes both necessary and desirable ;to manually retract thebreech-bolt. Referring especially to Figs. 5,9 and- 10, themanually-operated,--breech-bolt actuating-means or operating-handle ofthis invention is indicated generally at-'62 and comprises'arelatively-long narrow blade-like member substantially equal in widthto'thewidth of thezlongitudinal keyway 32am thereceiver, sosas'to makesliding engagementtherein for the purpose hereinafter described.Thelforwarden'd or reach 63 of the operating-handle is provided with afinger-grip 64 bentup'therefromand extending outwardly lat- -er.allyand'rearwardlyiat an angle of from 10 to 15 degrees, the outer extremityof the finger-grip 6l l'being suitably shaped toffacilitate gripping.The rear end-portion of the breech=bo1t operating-handle constitutes anintegral elongated protuberance or tenon 65 which projects downwardlybelow the plane of the underside of the reach 63 and forms asubstantially-transverse shoulder or abutment 66 therewith. The tenon 65is substantially U-shaped in cross section and its bottom is providedwith an upset knee 6'! which is formed integrally therein and projectsupwardly therefrom adjacent the forward end of the tenon.

The operating-handle 62 is adapted to be mounted on the breech-bolt stem36 and to this end the latter is provided throughout its length with alongitudinal retaining-groove 68in its periphery, the forward end of thegroove being relatively shallow as at 680 to receive the reach '63 ofthe operating-handle, and the rear end-pore stem 36, the rear end of thetenon 65 is adapted to abut the rear end wall or abutment H of themortise which, in the present embodiment, constitutes the forward end ofthe shank 35 of the breech-bolt. Thus, the operating-handle is securelyheld against relativelongitudinal movement on the stem 36 of thereciprocable breechbolt. The breech-bolt is adapted to be assembled inthe receiver by inserting the breech-bolt, stemend first, into the openrear end of the receiver, the longitudinal retaining-groove 68 of thestem being located on the stem in a position such that when thebreech-bolt is fully assembled in the receiver, thegroove 68 will besubstantially opposite the ejection-port 29 of the receiver and parallelto and immediately opposite the keyway 32 thereof, as shown clearly inFigs. 1 and 4. In

the present embodiment, a plane through the project laterallytherethrough and its tenon 65 will slidingly engage in the keyway 32 ofthe receiver, as indicated clearly in Fig. 5.

Cooperatively associated with the breech-bolt operating-means isfastening-means arranged to detachably secure the former to thebreech-bolt. In the present embodiment, the fastening-means comprises asubstantially-cylindrical pin 12 which may be solid or tubular inconstruction, and which is of a resilient nature such that it may beflexed. The pin 12 is adapted to be fixedly secured at its rear endin alongitudinal aperture or socket 13 which is formed in the forward end Hof the breech-bolt shank 35 substantially parallel to the longitudinalaxis thereof, the longitudinal axis of the pin-aperture 13 beingsubstantially in axial alignment with the keyway 32 of the receiver. Theportion of the pin 12 which is forwardly of its rear end is hereinafterreferred to as its reach and is adapted to extendforwardly through thekeyway 32 into the longitudinal channel of the tenon 65 of theoperating-handle 62. The length of the reach of the pin 12 is such thatits forward end is adapted to engage against the upset knee 6'l inthebottom of the tenon 65 and to, be flexed outwardlylaterally thereby soas to exert an inwardly-directedforce on the tenon of theoperating-handle soas to hold the tenon in the mortise of thebreech-bolt.

The rear end of the pin 12 is normally held in the longitudinal aperture13 by a drive-fit or equivalent fastening-means. In order to provide forthe removal of the pin 12, in the event of its breakage, a radial groove14 is milled or otherwise formed in the breech-bolt shank 35 adjacentthe forward end thereof, the longitudinal axis of the groove 14 beingparallel to and in the plane of the longitudinal axis of the aperture13, and the depth of the groove being such that its bottom intersectsthe rear end of the longitudinal aperture 13. Consequently, a wedge orsimilar tool may be inserted into the radial groove against the rear endof the pin 12 for driving the latter forwardly out of its aperture 13.

Although the pin 12 is shown as a separate element of theoperating-handle, it is within the purview of this invention to form thepin or its equivalent as an integral part thereof.

It is understood that normally the breach-bolt will be operatedautomatically. However, it may be reciprocated manually. Thus, in orderto manually retract the breech-bolt, the marksman grasps the finger-grip64 of the operating-handle and pulls rearwardly thereon. Since the tenon65 of the latter is fixedly secured against longitudinal movement in themortise of the breechbolt, a rearward pull upon the finger-grip willsimultaneously move the operating-handle and breech-bolt in a rearwarddirection so as to retire the breech-bolt to its rearmost position inthe receiver. The breech-bolt may be advanced manually from its retiredposition in the receiver by thrusting forwardly on the finger-grip 64 ofthe operating-handle, the forward thrust on the latter being transmittedto the breech-bolt by engagement of the shoulder 66 of theoperatinghandle with the front end wall I6 of the mortise 69. It shouldbe pointed out, also, that mutual engagement of the shoulder 66 of thetenon and the wall Ill of the mortise prevents the operatinghandle frombeing thrown forwardly out of the breech-bolt as the latter slamsforward into breech-closing position. Moreover, since the tenon 65 ofthe operating-handle makes longitudinal sliding engagement in the keyway32 of the receiver and is precluded from transverse movement withrespect to the breech-bolt by engagement of the sides of the tenon 65with the corresponding laterally-spaced walls of the mortise 69 thereof,the operating-handle thereby effectively locks the breech-bolt againstrotation in the receiver.

The removal of the operating-handle from the breech-bolt may be readilyaccomplished by grasping the finger-grip 64 thereof and pulling itoutwardly laterally so as to lift the shoulder 66 of its tenon up overthe front end wall 10 of the mortise against the resistance of theresilient pin 12. Thereupon, the operating-handle may be pushedforwardly relative to the breech-bolt out of its retaining-slot 68. Thebreech-bolt opcrating-handle may be assembled on the breechbolt in thereverse order, that is to say, by inserting the rear end of theoperating-handle beneath the forward free end of the pin 12 and pushingrearwardly on the finger-grip 64 until the rear end of theoperating-handle and, in particular, its tenon 65 abut against the frontwall H of the breech-bolt shank 35 and the shoulder 66-0f the tenondrops down behind the front end 9,, intermediate the first and second.transverse abutments of said breech-bolt, said resilient socket-fittingelement being arranged, to bear inwardly to hold the integralprotuberanceof said bolt-operating means resiliently in juxtaposition tothe first and second jtransverse abutments of said breech-bolt. i

4. In a firearm, including in combinationza receiver having abreech-bolt chamber; a breechbolt reciprocably mounted insaid-chamber,.-said breech-bolt having a longitudinal socket open in onedirection; a transverseabutment remotefrom the open end of saidlongitudinal socket andfacing in a direction opposite-thereto; apair oflaterally-spaced abutments; and a breech-bolt operating-handle having anelement fitted in said socket and provided with a resilient reach, andan integral abutment remote frornthe socketfitting element and arrangedto engage between the pair of laterally-spaced abutments of saidbreech-bolt, said socket-fitting element and reach being arranged tocoact so as to hold the integral abutment of said bolt-operating ineansresiliently in juxtaposition to the transverse abutment of saidbreech-bolt.

5. In a firearm, including in combination: a receiver having abreech-bolt chamber; a breechbolt reciprocably mounted in said chamber,said breech-bolt having a, longitudinal socketopen in one direction; atransverseabutment remote from the open end of said longitudinal socketand facing in a direction opposite thereto; a second transverse abutmentopposite said first abutment and a pair of laterally-spaced abutments;and a breech-bolt operating-handle having an element fitted in saidsocket and provided with a resilient reach, and an integral protuberanceremote from the socket-fitting element, said integral protuberance beingarranged to extend between the pair of laterally-spaced abutments andsubstantially intermediate the first and second transverse abutments ofsaid breech-bolt, said socket-fitting element and reach being arrangedto coact so as to hold the integral protuberance of said bolt-operatingmeans resiliently in juxtaposition to the first and second transverseabutments of said breech-bolt. v I

6. In a firearm, including inncombinationz a receiver having abreech-bolt chamber; anejec tion-port intersecting the forward end offsaid chamber and a longitudinal keywayr on the inside wall of saidchamber intersecting the rear wall of said ejection-port; a breech-boltreciprocably mounted in said chamber, said breech-bolt having alongitudinal socket open in one direction and a transverse abutmentremoved from the open end of said longitudinal socket'and facing 'in adirection opposite thereto; and a breech-bolt operating-handle arrangedto slidingly engage ,in the longitudinal keyway ofsaid receiver toprevent rotation of said breech-bolt in the chamber thereof, saidbreech-bolt operating-handle having an element fitted in said socket andprovided with a resilient reach, and an integral abutment remote fromthe socket-fitting element, said socket-fitting element and reach beingarranged to coact so as to hold the integral abutment or saidbolt-operating handle resiliently in juxtaposition to the transverseabutment of said breech-bolt,

7. In a firearm, including in combination: a receiver having abreech-boltchamber; a'breechbolt reciprocably mounted in said chamber,said breech-bolt having asocket adjacentits front end; a. breech-boltoperating-handle; means to connect said breech-bolt operating-handle tosaid breech-bolt comprising an integral protuberance of saidoperating-handle arranged to seat in said socket whereby a force exertedon said handle moves said breech-bolt longitudinally in said chamber;and fastening-means constructed and arranged to detachably secure saidbreech-bolt operating-handle to said breech-bolt, said fastening-meanscomprising a resilient-element of said operating-handle arranged to holdsaid integral protuberance resiliently in said socket.

8. In a firearm, including in combination: a receiver. having abreech-bolt chamber; a breechbolt reciprocably mounted in said chamber,said breech-bolt having a socket adjacent its front end; a breech-boltoperating-handle, means to connect said breech-bolt operating-handle tosaidbreech-bolt comprising an integral protuberance of saidoperating-handle arranged to seat in said socket whereby a force exertedon said handle moves said breech-bolt longitudinally in said chamber;and fastening-means constructed and arranged to detachably secure saidbreech-bolt operating-handle to said breechbolt, said fastening-meanscomprising a resilientelement of said operating-handle secured at oneend to said breech-bolt and arranged to exert a force transversely ofsaid breech-bolt operatinghandle to hold said integral protuberanceresiliently in said socket.

9. In a firearm, including in combination: a receiver having abreech-bolt chamber; a breechbolt reciprocably mounted in said chamber,said breech-bolt having a mortise adjacent its front end; a breech-boltoperating-handle; means to connect said breech-bolt operating-handle tosaid breech-bolt comprising a tenon of said operating-handle arranged toseat in said mortise, whereby a rearward pull on said handle retractssaid breech-bolt in said chamber; and fasteningmeans constructed andarranged to detachably secure said breech-bolt operating-handle to saidbreech-bolt, said fastening-means comprising a resilient-member arrangedto hold said tenon in said mortise.

- 10. In a firearm, including in combination: a receiver having abreech-bolt chamber; a breechbolt reciprocably mounted in said chamber,said breech-bolt having a mortise adjacent its front end; a breech-boltoperating-handle; means to connect said breech-bolt operating-handle tosaid breech-bolt comprising a tenon of said operatinghandle arranged toseat in said mortise, whereby a rearward pull on said handle retractssaid breech-bolt in said chamber; and fasteningmeans constructed andarranged to detachably secure said breech-bolt operating-handle to saidbreech-bolt, said fastening-means comprising a resilient-member securedat one end to said breech-bolt and arranged to engage at its oppositefree end against said breech-bolt operating-handle to hold said tenon insaid mortise. 11. In a firearm, including in combination: a receiverhaving a breech-bolt chamber; a breechbolt reciprocably mounted in saidchamber, said breech-bolt having a mortise adjacent its front end abreech-bolt operating-handle; means to connect said breech-boltoperating-handle to said breech-bolt comprising a tenon of saidoperatinghandle arranged to seat in said mortise, whereby -a rearwardpull on said handle retracts said breech-bolt in said chamber; andfasteningmeans constructed and arranged to detachably secure saidbreech-bolt operating-handle to said breech-bolt, said fastening-meanscomprising a 11' fiexiblemember arranged to hold said tenon in saidmortise.

12. In a firearm, including in combination: a receiver having abreech-bolt chamber; a breechbolt reciprocably mounted in said chamber,said breech-bolt having a mortise adjacent its front end; a breech-boltoperating-handle; means to connect said breech-bolt operating-handle tosaid breech-bolt comprising a tenon of said operatinghandlearrangedtoseat in said mortise, whereby a rearward pull on said handleretracts said breech-bolt in said chamber; and fasteningmeansconstructed and arranged to detachably secure said breech-boltoperating-handle to said breech-bolt, said fastening-means comprising aflexible member fixedly secured at one end to said breech-bolt andarranged to engage at its opposite free end against said tenon to holdsaid tenon in said mortise.

13. In a firearm, including in combination; a receiver having abreech-bolt chamber; a breechbolt reciprocably mounted in said chamber,said breech-bolt having a mortise adjacent its front end; a breech-boltoperating-handle; means to .connect said breech-bolt operating-handle tosaid breech-bolt comprising a tenon of said op erating-handle having anupset knee and arranged to seat in said mortise, whereby a rearward pullon said handle retracts said breechbolt in said chamber; andfastening-means constructed and arranged to detachably secure saidbreech-bolt operating-handle to said breech-bolt, said fastening-meanscomprising a flexiblemember fixedly secured at one end to saidbreech-bolt and arranged to engage at'its opposite free end against thesaid upset knee of said tenon to hold said tenon in said mortise.

14; In a, firearm, including in combination: a receiver having abreech-bolt chamber; a breechbolt reciprocalbly mounted in said chamber,said breech-bolt having a mortise adjacent its front end; a breech-boltoperating-handle; means to connect said breech-bolt operating-handle to'said breech-bolt comprising a tenon of saidoperating handle providedwith a longitudinal groove and arranged toseat in said mortise, wherebya-rearward pull' on: said handle retracts said breechbolt in saidchamber; and fastening-means constructed and arranged'to detachablysecure said breech-bolt operating-handle to said breech-bolt, saidfastening-means comprising a flexible member fixedly/secured at one endto said breech-bolt and arranged to extend into the longitudinal grooveof said tenon and to engage at itsopposite free end against said tenonthereby to hold said tenon insaid mortise.

15. In a firearm, including in combination: a receiver having abreech-bolt chamber; a breechbolt reciprocably mounted in said chamber,said breech-bolt having a mortise adjacent its front end; a breech-boltoperating handle; means to connect. said. breech-bolt operating-handleto said b-reechebolt comprising a tenon of'said operating-handleprovided with a longitudinal groove having an upset knee in the bottomthereof; said tenon being arranged to seat in said mortise, whereby arearward pull on said handle retracts said breech-bolt in said. chamber;and fasteningmeans constructed and arranged to detachably secure saidbreech-bolt operating-handle to said breech-bolt, said fastening-meanscomprising a flexible member fixedly secured at one end to saidbreech-bolt and arranged to extend into the longitudinalgroove ofsaid'tenon andto engage its-opposite free end against the said upset'-kne 12 thereof so as-to hold=saidtenon in said mortise.

16. In a firearm, including in combination: a receiver having abreech-bolt chamber, an ejection-port intersecting the, forward end ofsaid chamber and. a longitudinalkeyway on the inside wall of saidchamber intersecting the rear wall of said ejection-port; a breech-boltreciprocably mounted in said chamber, said breech-bolt having a mortiseadjacent its front end substantially opposite said ejection-port; abreech-"bolt operating-handle; means-to connect said breech-boltoperating-handle to said breech-bolt comprising a tenon of saidoperating-handle arranged to seat in said' mortise and to slidinglyengage inthe longitudinal keyway of said receiver to prevent rotation ofsaid breech-bolt in the chamber thereof, said breech-boltoperating-handle also having a finger-grip projecting laterallytherefrom through the said ejection-port, whereby a rearward pull onsaid finger-gripretracts said'breechbolt in said chamber;and'fastening-means constructed and arranged to detacha'bly secure saidbreech-bolt operating-handle to said breech-bolt, said fastening-meanscomprising a flexible member fixedly secured at one endtosaid'breech-bolt in axial alignment with the said keyway of saidreceiver and arranged to engage its opposite free end against saidbreech-bolt operating-handle to hold said tenon in said mortise.

1'7. In a firearm, including in combination: a receiver having abreech-bolt chamber, an ejection-port intersecting the forward end ofsaid chamber and a longitudinal keyway on the inside wall of saidchamber intersecting the rear wall of said ejection-port; a breech-boltreciprocably mounted in said chamber, said breech-bolt having a mortiseadjacent its front end substantially opposite said ejection-port; abreech-bolt operating-handle; means to connect said breechboltoperating-handle to said breech-bolt com prising a tenon of saidoperating-handle arranged to seat in'said mortise and to slidinglyengage in the longitudinal keyway of said receiver to preventrotation ofsaid breech-bolt in the chamber thereof, said breech-boltoperating-handle also having a finger-grip projecting laterallytherefrom through the said ejection-port, whereby a rearward pull onsaid finger-gripretracts said breech-bolt in said chamber; andfasteningmeans constructed and arranged to detachably securesaid'breech-bolt operating-handle to said breech-bolt, saidfastening-means comprising a flexible member fixedly secured at one endto said breech-bolt in axial alignment with the said keyway 'of saidreceiver, the opposite end of said flexible member being'arranged toextend through saidkeyway and to engage its free end against saidbreech-bolt operating-handle to hold said tenon in said mortise.

18. In a firearm including in combination: a receiver having, abreech-bolt chamber, an ejection-portintersecting the forward end ofsaid chamber and. a longitudinal .keyway on the inside Wall of; saidchamber intersectingthe rear wall of said.ejectionport; a breech-boltreciprocably mountedin. saidchamber, said breech-bolt having a. mortiseadjacent. its front. end substantially opposite saidejection-port; abreech-bolt operating-handle; means to connect said breech-boltoperating-handle to said breechebolt comprising a channeled'tenon ofsaid operating-handle arranged to seat in saidlmortise and to slidinglyengage in thef-longitudinal .keyway, of said receiver to: meventrotation of said. breech-bolt in the 13 chamber thereof, saidbreech-bolt operating-handle also having a finger-gripprojectinglaterally therefrom through the said ejection-port, whereby'a rearwardpull onsaid finger-grip retracts said breech-bolt in said chamber; andfasteningmeans constructed and arranged to detachably securesaidbreech-bolt operating-handle to said breech-"bolt, said fastening-meanscomprising a flexible member fixedly secured at one end to saidbreech-bolt in axial alignment with the said keyway of said receiver andarranged to extend forwardly through said keyway and into the channel ofsaid tenon thereby to engage its opposite free end against saidbreech-bolt operatinghandle to hold said channeled tenon in saidmortise.

19. In a firearm includingin combination: a receiver having abreech-bolt chamber; an ejection-port intersecting the forward end ofsaid chamber anda longitudinal keyway on the inside wall of said chamberintersecting the rear wall of said ejection-port; I a breech-boltreciprocably mounted in said chamber, said breech-bolt having a mortiseadjacent its front end substantially opposite said ejection-port; abreech-bolt operatinghandle; means toconnect said breec -boltoperating-handle to said breech-bolt comprising a channeled tenon ofsaid operating-handle having an upset knee in the bottom thereof,saidchanneled tenon being arranged to seat in said mortise and to slidinglyengage in the longitudinal keyway of said receiver to prevent rotationof said breechbolt in the chamber thereof, said breech-boltoperating-handle also having a finger-grip projecting laterallytherefrom through t e said eiection-port, whereby a rearward pull onsaid fingergrip retracts said breech-bolt in said chamber;

and fasteningmeans constructed and arranged to detachably secure saidbreech-bolt operatinghandle to said breech-bolt, said fastening meanscomprising a flexible member fixedly secured at one end to saidbreech-bolt in axial alignment with the said keyway of said receiver andarranged to extend forwardly through said keyway and into the channel ofsaid tenon thereby to engage-its opposite free end against the upsetknee thereof to hold said channeled tenon in saidvmortise.

20. In a firearm including in combination: a receiver having abreech-bolt chamber, an ejection-port intersecting the forward end ofsaid chamber and a longitudinal keyway on the inside wall of saidchamber intersecting the rear wall of said e ection-port; a breech-boltreciprocably mounted in said chamber, said breech-bolt having a mortiseadjacent its front end substantially opposite the said ejection-port; abreech-bolt operating-handle; means to connect said breech-boltoperating-handle to said breech-bolt comprising a tenon of saidoperating-handle arranged to seat in said mortise and to slidinglyengage in the longitudinal keyway of said receiver to prevent rotationof said breech-bolt in the chamber thereof, said breech-boltoperating-handle also having a fingergrip projecting laterally therefromthrough the said ejection-port whereby a rearward pull on saidfinger-grip retracts said breech-bolt in said chamber; fastening-meanscomprising a flexible member constructed and arranged to detachablysecure said breech-bolt operating-handle to said breech-bolt: and meansto fixedly secure one end of said flexible member to said breech-bolt inaxial alignment with the said keyway of said receiver. the opposite freeend of said flexible member being adapted thereby to extend through saidkeyway andto engage against said breechbolt operating-handle to holdsaid tenon in said mortise.

21. In a firearmincluding in combination: a receiver having abreech-boltchamber, an ejection-port intersecting the forward end ofsaid chamber and a longitudinal keyway on the inside wall of saidchamber intersecting the rear wall .of said ejection-port; a breech-boltreciprocably mounted in said chamber, said breech-bolt having a mortiseadjacent its front end substantially opposite said ejection-port; abreech-bolt operatinghandle; meanslto connect said breech-boltoperating-handle to said breech-bolt comprising a channeled tenon-ofsaid operating-handle having anupset knee in the bottom thereof, saidchanneled tenon being arranged to seat in said mortise and to slidinglyengage in the longitudinal keyway of said receiver to prevent rotationof said breechbolt in' the chamber thereof, said breech-bolt operwiththe said keyway of said receiver, the opposite free end of said flexiblemember being adapted thereby to extend forwardly through said keyway andinto the channel of said tenon and to engage against the upset kneethereof so as to hold said channeled tenon in said mortise; and anaperture in said breech-bolt to provide access to the fixed end of saidflexible member for removing the latter from said breech-bolt.

22. In a firearm including in combination: a receiver havingabreech-bolt chamber comprising a rear end-portion and an axially-alignedfront end-portion which is reduced in diameter and forms a transverseshoulder therewith, an ejection-portintersecting the front end-portionof said chamber and a longitudinal keyway on the inside wall of saidtransverse shoulder joining the rear end-portion of said chamber to saidejectionport; a breech-bolt reciprocably mounted in said chamber, saidbreech-bolt comprising a shankportion supported in the rear end-portionof said chamber and a stem-portion of reduced diameter supported in thereduced front end of said chamher, the said stem-portion of saidbreech-bolt having a, longitudinal mortise therein substantiallyopposite said ejection-port; a breech-bolt operating-handle; means toconnect said breechbolt operating-handle to the stem-portion of saidbreech-bolt comprising a channeled tenon of said operating-handle havingan upset knee in the bottom thereof, said channeled tenon being arrangedto seat snugly in said mortise and to slidingly engage in thelongitudinal keyway of said receiver to prevent rotation of saidbreech-bolt in the chamber thereof, said breech-bolt operating-handlealso having a finger-grip projecting laterally therefrom through thesaid ejection-port whereby a rearward pull on said finger-grip retractssaid breech-bolt in said chamber; and fastening-means constructed andarranged to detachably secure said breech-bolt operatinghandle to thestem-porticn of said breech-bolt, said fastening-means comprising arelatively-stiff flexible member, one end of which is arranged to befixedly secured in a longitudinal aperture in the shank-portion of saidbreech-bolt in axial alignment with the said keyway, the opposite freewramses .end of: saidzflexible memberdoeingadapted thereby to extendforwardly through said keyway and into :the .;channel of said gtenon andto .engage against the :upset :knee thereof so .as to hold :said tenonin. said mortise.

23. In .vaufirearmzincludingin combination: a .:rec,eiverthaving abreech-a beit chamber compris- -ing:a .rear end-portion -and anaxially-aligned :front'endsportion whichis reduced in diameter and dormsaa'transverse :shoulder therewith, :an ejection port rintersecting thefront end-portion of said :chamber and a longitudinal keyway onrthe'insidefwaH of said transverse shoulder join-:ing'therearend-portionof said chamber to said ejection-port;abreech-boltreciprocablymountrediin'said chamber, said breech-boltcomprising "azshank portionsupported-in the rear end-portioniof saidchamber'and a stem-portion of reduced :diameter supported in the:reduced'front :en'dof said chamber, the said stem-portion of saidbreech-bolt having a longitudinal mortise therein substantially oppositesaid ej action-port a breech-bolt operating-handle; means to connectsaid breech-bolt operating-handle .to the gstem-eportion :of :saidbreech-bolt comprising a channeled :tenon :of said operating-handle.hav- 1ing:an .upset knee in the vbottom thereof, said channeledtenon'being arranged to seat snugly :insaid mortiseandtoslidingly engagein the longitudinal keyway of said'receiver to prevent rotation of-saidbreech-bolt in the chamber thereof, said breech-boltoperating-handlealso having a-finger-grip :projecting laterally therefrom through thesaid ejectioneport whereby a rearwardpullon said finger-gripretractssaid breechbolt in said chamber; fastening-means constructed andarranged'to detachably secure said breech-bolt operating-handle tothestem-portion of said -breech-bo1t,:said fastening-meanscomprisingare'latively-stifi flexible member, one end of which isarranged to befixedly secured in a longitudinal aperture -in theshank-portion of said breech-.boltdnv axial alignment with the said v-keyway, the opposite free end of said flexible member beingadaptedthereby to extend for- .Wardly through said-keyway and into-the channelof said'tenon and 'to engage against the upset rkneethereof *so as tohold said tenon in .said :mortise and a transverse aperture in theshankportion-of said breech boltintersectingthe rear .end -.of theflexible-member receiving-aperture thereof .tosprovide-access-to therear-end of said flexible member-for removing-the latter fromsaid:breech-bolt.

'24. In'a'firearm,-inc1uding in'combination: a receiver-havingabreech-bolt chamber; a breechrboltreciprocably mounted in said chamber,said transverselyof: said breech-bolt operating-handle :to hold :saidintegral lug :resiliently in said radial socket.

.25. .In a firearm, including in combination: a receiver'having abreech-bolt chamber; a breechbolt reciprocably mounted in said chamber,said .vbreech ibolt "having a longitudinal socket open inOIIBFdiIGCtiOH' and "a radial socket remote'from .the open end ofasaidlongitudinal socket; and'a cbreech-bolt operating-handle comprising anelongated membershaving a rearwardly-extend- 'in'gstem: engaged in' thelongitudinal-socket of said breech--:bolt and provided with a resilientreach,

andsanintegral lug remote'irom said stemvand substantiallyopposite theradial socket of said breech-bolt, Zsaid stem and reach'beingarranged tocoactso asto'exerta force transversely of said breech-boltoperating-handle to hold said inte- :gral lug :resiliently in'saidradial socket.

r26. In'a firearm,.including-in combination: a receiverhavingabreechebolt chamber; an ejection-port intersecting the forwardend of said chamber and-alongitudinal keyway on'the inside wall of saidchamber intersecting the rear 'wall of said ejection-port; a breech-boltreciprocably mounted'in said-chamber, said breech-bolt having alongitudinalsocket open in one direction -.an-d a'radial-socket remotefrom'the open endof said-longitudinal socket; 'and a breech-boltoperating-handle comprising an elongated member ar :ranged =t0 slidinglyengage 'in the longitudinal :keywaycof' said receiver to preventrotation of said breech-bolt -in the chamber thereof, said breech-boltoperating-handle having a rearwardly-extending stemengagedin thelongitudinal socket of *said-breech-bolt and provided with aresilient/reach, an integral lug'remote from said stem andsubstantiallyopposite the radial socket of said breech-bolt, said stemand reach being constructed and-arranged tocoact so-as toexert :a 'forcetransversely of said breech-bolt operating-handleto holdsaid-integrallugresiliently in said radial socket, vand a finger-grip projectinglaterally from said elongated member.

THOMAS R. :ROBI-NSON, J R.

.Noreferences cited.

